The subject may seem strange and esoteric, especially as the book largely restricts itself to 19th-century rural France. However, it presents a unique area of social and religious history, since bells and bell-ringers had an honoured role in local community life, both civic and ecclesiastic. They summoned to church, mourned the dead, called citizens to meetings or to arms, warned of the approach of enemies and danger and so on. They also, of course, told the time of day - and night - for all classes and professions. And for older people, who kept alive the folk superstitions of previous centuries, they were still a charm against demons and disease. Though the style is occasionally a little stiff, the material of this unusual book is consistently interesting and often fascinating.